You’re about to leap from the ledge of a high-rise apartment building with a suicide note in hand but with a parachute strapped to your back. Your wife, leaning out of the window, says to you, “Just can’t make a commitment to anything —can you, Larry?”

1. a. Although intended to be humorous, the cartoon makes a serious point. What are some commitments you have made, or intended to make, during the past year or so?
2. b. How faithful have you been to those commitments? In what ways have you hedged your bets or failed to follow through?

• ___ I am struck by the impossibility of totally keeping such a commitment.
• ___ I am reluctant to make a commitment I know I will not keep.
• ___ I am willing to make pleasing God in all ways my aim or goal in life.
• ___ I am content to remain on “cruise-control” obedience and merely avoid scandalous sin and not worry about the “refined” sins that I consider unimportant.
• ___ I want to aggressively pursue holiness like the race-car driver who is totally focused on winning and finishing the race, going all out for God.
• ___ Other (describe your response):

1. a. What temptations do you face at your school or work?
2. b. When have you paid the price for being a Christian and acted ethically in one of those tempting situations?
3. c. When have you given in to a temptation because “everyone does it”? (You can answer this question privately, sharing your answer with your group only if you know one another well.)

1. a. Do you need to make a covenant with your eyes about what you look at? If so, explain.
2. b. Do you need to covenant with your mouth about what you say? Explain.
3. c. What about with your mind about what you think? Explain.
4. d. Is there a particular temptation that arises at your work or school?
5. e. Is there a particular area in your marriage or in your relationship with your children, your parents, or even a friend or an associate at work, where you are not demonstrating the Spirit’s fruit of love, patience, or kindness?
6. f. What else would you add to this list?

You may find you will need to make several commitments —sins to put off or avoid and Christlike traits to put on. If you do not commit yourself to the pursuit of holiness in these specific areas of your life, you will tend to waver in the face of these temptations. Take a moment to tell the Holy Spirit of your commitments and ask Him to enable you to keep them.

1. b. Does the psalmist’s commitment suggest any similar commitments the Lord might be calling and enabling you to make? Explain.